USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1890-1895 > Part 12
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the matter and report at a future meeting. The Moderator ap- pointed the following persons : B. E. Harris, James F. Stratton, Patrick Lynch, Henry J. Bailey, A. C. Withington, Henry A. Clark, M. F. Green, Stephen Sweet, James Lally, jr., and Edwin A. Thomas.
ARTICLE 17 .- Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to purchase said lot, and that we raise and appropriate four hundred dollars ($400) for the purpose.
Voted, That J. D. Hunt and John J. Shockrow be appointed Field Drivers for the ensuing year.
Voted, That J. D. Hunt be appointed Pound Keeper for the ensuing year.
Voted, That Isaac N. Davis, Chandler Cheney and A. J. Sumner be appointed Fence Viewers for the ensuing year.
Voted, That Henry E. Fales, Z. C. Field, and C. W. Wilcox be appointed Park Commissioners for the ensuing year.
Voted, To authorize the Treasurer to pay such incomes re- ceived by him, to the respective departments, on orders properly drawn.
Due notice having been given, the polls were at four o'clock in the afternoon declared to be closed.
During the voting the ballot-box was in the charge of the Election Officers. The ballot-box was opened three times during the time of voting by the unanimous consent of the Selectmen, Town Clerk and Tellers, for the purpose of sorting and counting the ballots ; and again at the close of the polls, when the register stood at fourteen hundred ninety-eight (1498).
The names of those on the list of voters which had been checked were audibly counted and found to be fourteen hundred eighty-nine (1489), as per voting list.
The discrepancy between the ballot-box and the actual count was due to the failure of the box to register.
ARTICLE 2 .- The ballots having been sorted and counted, the Moderator declared the following officers elected, viz .:-
Town Clerk, Domnick J. Lang.
Town Treasurer, Clifford A. Cook.
Tax Collector, Mortimore J. Reynolds.
Auditor, Thomas J. Lynch.
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Selectmen, William B. Hale, Amariah A. Taft, Ephraim L. Wires.
Assessors, Thomas J. Connor, Lewis Hayden, George E. Stacy.
Overseers of Poor, James W. Burke, Chester L. Clark, John Smith.
School Committee for 3 years, Gilbert Moses Billings, George G. Parker.
Trustees of Public Library for 3 years, Nathaniel F. Blake, Owen F. Croughwell.
Trustee of Public Library for 2 years (to fill vacancy), Ben- jamin Adams.
Board of Health, Michael Paul Burns, William J. Clarke, Robert H. Cochran.
Trustees of Vernon Grove Cemetery for 3 years, Henry J. Bailey, Isaac N. Crosby.
Constables, Martin Broderick, James W. Burke, Matthew Burns, David E. Casey, Edward J. Dalton, Oliver D. Holmes, James Howard, Augustus W. Keene, Thomas F. Kelly, Thomas F. Martin, John Moore, P. P. O'Donnell, Nelson Sherman, Henry C. Snell, Charles H. Waters.
ARTICLE 2, on the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town?" the result was as follows: Yes, 682; No, 512.
The following is the number of votes cast for the several can- didates for Town Officers :-
TOWN CLERK.
John F. Barrett, 618
Domnick J. Lang, 7.26
TOWN TREASURER.
Clifford A. Cook, 1,226
I. E. Mason, 2
TAX COLLECTOR.
Mortimore J. Reynolds, 758
Joseph H. Wood, 66
TOWN AUDITOR.
Thomas J. Lynch, 1,093
S. C. Sumner, 1
SELECTMEN.
George F. Birch, 540
Patrick H. Curran, 535
W m. B. Hale, 795
Maurice E. Nelligan, 563
Amariah A. Taft, 874
Ephraim L. Wires, 675
ASSESSORS.
Thomas J. Connor, 1,002
Isaac N. Crosby, 728
Lewis Hayden, 999
George E. Stacy, 1,138
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
James W. Burke, 1,225
Chester L. Clark, 1,281
John Smith,
1,251
Otis Whitney, 1
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 3 YEARS.
Gilbert Moses Billings, 515
John P. Holmes, 427
Charles Mackin,
467
George G. Parker, 482
George E. Stacy, 322
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, 3 YEARS.
Nathaniel F. Blake, 683
Charles W. Carroll, 571
Owen F. Croughwell, 629
William P. Foley, 480
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY,
2 YEARS (to fill vacancy).
Benjamin Adams, 680
Dennis J. Sullivan, . 524
Thomas F. Martin, 737
John Moore, 723
Bernard Moore, 356
P. P. O'Donnell, 649
Anthony J. Shields, 494
Nelson Sherman, 621
John Smith, 543
Henry C. Snell,
663
Charles H. Waters, 749
A. S. Allen, 1
Voted, That the thanks of the voters be extended to the Moderator, Town Clerk, Tellers and Ballot Clerks, for the effi- cient manner in which they have discharged their duties, and that said vote be placed on the records.
The ballots cast and the list of voters used at the polls were then sealed up, endorsed by the Selectmen, and delivered into the custody of the Town Clerk, in conformity with the law.
At 1.40 A. M. it was voted to dissolve the warrant.
A true record. Attest :
DOMNICK J. LANG,
Town Clerk.
Isaac N. Crosby, 1,022
CONSTABLES.
Martin Broderick, 1,094
James W. Burke, 799
Matthew Burns, 629
David E. Casey, 600
Patrick Conniff, 491
Lawrence V. Corbett, 534
Edward J. Dalton, 919
Jeremiah Davoren, 524
Samuel W. Hayward, 569
Oliver D. Holmes, 884
James Howard, 844
George N. Hubbard, 470
Augustus W. Keene, 613
Thomas F. Kelly, 820
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Michael Paul Burns, 837
Wm. J. Clarke, 807
Robert H. Cochran, 842
Edward Foley, 371
Charles Mackin, 666
TRUSTEES OF VERNON GROVE
CEMETERY, 3 YEARS.
Henry J. Bailey, 1,038
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WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 27, 1891.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
To either Constable of the Town of Milford, in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town, quali- fied by law to vote in Elections and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Town, on Monday, the Twenty.seventh Day of April, A. D. 1891, punctually at one o'clock in the after- noon, to act upon the following articles, namely :-
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
Article 2. To hear and act upon the reports of any commit- tees.
Article 3. To see if the Town will purchase a road roller, or take any action in relation to the same.
Article 4. To see if the Town will appropriate three hun- dred dollars ($300) for Memorial building.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize its Treasurer to pay from the license fund, for the enforcement of the law, a sum not exceeding twelve hundred dollars.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to contract with the Milford Water company for its water supply, or take any action in relation to the same
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to purchase the cor- porate property and all the rights and privileges of the Milford Water company.
Article 8. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to paint the Town House.
And you are hereby directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at each of the Public Meeting Houses and at the Post-Office in said Town; also cause an attest- ed copy to be published in The Milford Gazette, Milford Daily News, Milford Daily Journal, and Milford Times, newspapers printed in said Town, two Sabbaths at least before the time set for said meeting.
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Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Clerk of said Town, at the time of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Milford, this sixteenth day of April, A. D. 1891.
A. A. TAFT, E. L. WIRES, WM. B. HALE, Selectmen of Milford.
A true copy. Attest :
OLIVER D. HOLMES, Constable of Milford.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
Milford, Mass., April 27, 1891.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabi- tants of the Town of Milford, herein described, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this Warrant at each of the public Meeting Houses and at the Post Office in said Town, and I have likewise caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in The Milford Gazette, Milford Daily News, Milford Daily Journal, and Milford Times, newspapers printed in said Town, two Sabbaths before the time set for said meeting.
Attest :
OLIVER D. HOLMES, Constable of Milford.
A true copy of the Warrant, and the return thereof. Attest : DOMNICK J. LANG, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 27, 1891. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
Milford, April 27, 1891.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Milford qualified by law to vote in Elections and in Town Affairs, holden this twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one
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thousand eight hundred ninety-one, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the said inhabitants proceeded as follows :-
The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, who also read the Warrant.
ARTICLE 1 .- The meeting made choice of Henry E. Fales as Moderator, the Check List being used.
ARTICLE 2 .- Under this article, John T. McLoughlin read the following report from the Committee who were appointed to investigate the matter in relation to the Milford Water Company works :-
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE TOWN OF MIL- FORD, MARCH 2, 1891, TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER OF WATER SUPPLY, AND TO CONSIDER THE COMMUNICATION OF THE MILFORD WATER COMPANY.
To the Legal Voters of Milford :-
The Committee of Fifteen appointed at the annual meeting to consider the water supply for the Town have attended to that duty and respectfully report as follows :-
At the first meeting of the Committee Mr. E. L. Wires de- clined to serve as a member of your Committee, as he had finan- cial interests in the Water Co., and was excused by vote of the other members. In order that the voters may fully understand the whole subject, we insert the article under which the Committee was chosen, the vote, and the communication of the Water Co. to the Town.
Article.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will take any action in re- lation to its water supply from the Milford Water Company or the communication from said Company concerning the same, now on file in the Town Clerk's office.
Vote.
ARTICLE 16 .- Voted, That a Committee of 15, consisting of the Selectmen, Geo. P. Cooke, John T. McLoughlin, and ten others, be appointed by the Chair to investigate the matter and report at a future meeting.
Communication from Milford Water Co.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Milford :-
The Town's contract for water service with the Water Com- pany expires the coming summer. We are satisfied that the said contract has been a good one for the Town, and expect that the
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Town will find it to their advantage to continue a similar ar- rangement.
Some criticisms have at various times been made upon the service furnished you, owing to the breakage of pipes or machin- ery during actual fire service. While we do not consider our- selves at fault in such cases, the present equipments being consid- ered, we believe that accidents at fires would be greatly. reduced if a standpipe holding not less than 500,000 gallons, and located at a sufficient height to give a suitable pressure, were added to our system. The present system requires the most absolute care and freedom from excitement during fires, not only on the part of the servants of our Company, but on the part of every member of the Fire Department who has occasion to open or close hy- drants.
We have employed an engineer and examined the cost of such a structure, and are satisfied that with necessary connec- tions it will cost not less than $25,000, and that it is not necessa- ry for any purpose except providing the Towns of Milford and Hopedale with more perfect protection against fire. As the Water Company has not paid a sufficient sum, so far, to give the stockholders ordinary interest and to provide for actual deprecia- tion, we cannot make such an expensive addition to our works unless the Towns of Milford and Hopedale are willing to pay a sufficient additional sum for the water to cover the interest and depreciation on that structure.
We do not know how you will think best to bring this sub- ject before the Town, but we should think it would be well to have a Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of our Directors. We will, if desired, make two propositions : One in case the water service remains the same as now; and another, in case a standpipe containing 500,000 gallons with suitable connec- tions is erected during the coming season. In the latter case we should think it no more than fair to permit the increase in the number of hydrants in both Towns.
The Town of Milford now has 75 hydrants and the Town of Hopedale 18. Our idea is to permit the increase of hydrants to 100 in the Town of Milford, and to 25 in the Town of Hopedale, to be located on the line of the present pipes when and as the en- gineers in each of the Towns desire.
The Town of Hopedale should be charged one-fifth of the extra expense annually, on account of the standpipe, and the
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Town of Milford four-fifths of the extra expense. This is sub- stantially in proportion to the number of hydrants, either as now existing or as proposed. An excess of hydrants, if called for, above this number, should be paid for on the terms of the present contract, but such increase does not seem likely unless there is a marked growth in one or both Towns. If you will consider this matter and communicate with us at an early day, we think it will be for the mutual advantage of the Towns and the Water Com- pany. Yours truly,
WILLIAM F. DRAPER, GEORGE G. COOK, G. M. GREENE, For Milford Water Co.
According to the statement of the Committee of the Milford Water Co. the cost of the Water Works has been $290,000, as follows :-
Stock .
$150,000
Bonds .
.
·
100,000
Floating debt . .
· 40,000
$290,000
The dividends paid to stockholders during ten years have been 26 per cent. The income of the last year's operations was $21,179; the expenses (including special repairs $2354) $19,021.09.
So much of the report of the Water Company as related to standpipe was not seriously considered, as in the opinion of the Committee it was deemed inexpedient. The Water Company offered to furnish six one-inch streams at the price, as in former contract ($46.66 per hydrant for the first sixty hydrants, and $30 each for additional hydrants).
The information obtained in regard to extent of service shows the number of water takers 1209 families, charged by the faucet; 118 business firms, principally charged by meter; and five companies charged by contract, making a total of 1332. Of these, one-sixth in number, but more than that in amount, are lo- cated in Hopedale. The estimated length of pipe by Superinten- dent of Water Co. is about twenty (20) miles.
The Committee corresponded with the officials in several cities and towns, requesting them to furnish information concern- ing their system of water supply, and we submit the following data, compiled from the answers received in reply to questions
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asked by the Committee. (See page 343 of the Town Records.)
The Board of Engineers were consulted by the Committee in regard to number of hydrants, and at a joint meeting the Engi- neers stated that the Fire Department use the "Standard 1}' nozzle, and carry about 800 ft. of hose on two hose carriages, and 550 ft. on the other; they also suggested that in case the Town made a new contract, the number of streams should not be limit- ed to less than eight. As to the number of hydrants, they thought that the Town could get along with four more, to be lo- cated as follows: One on Leonard street; one on Grove street ; one on West Spruce street; one on Church street; and recom- mended that all additional hydrants located in the future be what are called "independent gate hydrants," and that they be connected by 6-inch pipe from the main to the hydrant, instead of 4-inch, as now laid in some parts of the Town.
The following questions were submitted to the Milford Water Co., and their answers to the same follow each ques- tion :-
1. "A copy of the contract of the Milford Water Co. with the Town of Hopedale."
The contract was furnished by the Committee from the Water Co., and showed that the Town of Hopedale had contracted for ten hydrants for $466.67, or $46.67 per hydrant.
2. "Price of works if the Town should decide to buy ?"
We are not prepared to state just the amount we should ask beyond the cost of the works to cover the franchise, personal ser- vices, loss of interest, and risk on the investment, but should ex- pect to receive a substantial sum. The Directors of the Com- pany are not authorized to set a price upon the water works with- out instructions from the stockholders, but are personally willing, as far as their connection with the Water Company is concerned, to have the Town take the works at a proper valuation. "The six resident Directors as citizens are opposed to the Town taking the works."
3. "Price per hydrant, 10-year contract, 75 hydrants and any additional hydrants that might be located, the Company to fur- nish eight 1}-inch streams?"
Voted, That the Committee be instructed to report to the Committee of the Town of Milford the following prices, under
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which the Water Company is willing to make a ten years' con- tract with the Town of Milford :-
First. For the use of 75 hydrants and the right to use eight 13-inch streams at one time, $5000 per annum. Additional hy- drants to be paid for at the rate of $40 each, provided that no hydrant shall be located in sections requiring extensions costing the Water Company more than $325 per hydrant when set; or, the Company will furnish water for not to exceed 25 additional hydrants, without additional charge for the water; the Town to pay for all the expense of furnishing and setting the hydrants, including any extensions of pipes, all work to be done by or un- der the supervision of the Water Company; and such hydrants and extensions to become the property of the Water Company when set. The pressure to be furnished by the Water Company not to exceed what has been furnished under the old contract in either case.
4. "Price per hydrant for a one-year renewable contract with the same number of hydrants and streams as mentioned above?"
The Directors consider it inexpedient to make a proposition for a contract for one year, as they would be obliged to furnish additional streams, and the extra expense they would be obliged to incur would not be paid for by a one-year contract.
At a meeting of the Committee Friday evening, April 24, it was
Voted, That the Committee recommend that the Town make a contract with the Milford Water Company for a term of ten years; to pay the Company the sum of $4200 annually for 75 hydrants, and $30 for each additional hydrant, the Company to furnish eight 1g-inch streams.
GEORGE P. COOKE,
. J. LALLY, JR., A. C. WITHINGTON, PATRICK LYNCH, STEPHEN SWEET, JOHN T. McLOUGHLIN,
Committee.
Voted, That the report of the Committee be laid on the table.
ARTICLE 3,-Voted, That a committee of five (5) be appoint- ed by the Chair to investigate the advisability of purchasing a Road Roller, and report at the next March meeting. The Moder-
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ator appointed the following persons: Z. C. Field, P. Gillon, Thomas Lilley, D. J. Cronan, and C. W. Wilcox.
ARTICLE 4 .- Voted, To raise and appropriate $300 for the same.
ARTICLE 5 .- Voted, To pass over.
Mr. McLoughlin moved that we take the report of the Com- mittee from the table, and act in connection with Article 6.
Voted, That Article 7 be taken up with Article 6 in connec- tion with the report of the Committee.
Voted, That Mr. Lynch's motion (relative to purchasing the corporate property and all the rights and privileges of the Mil- ford Water Co.) be laid on the table.
Voted, That each speaker be limited to three minutes.
Voted, To allow Mr. Hunt three minutes longer.
Voted, That Mr. Field's time be extended three minutes.
Voted, That Mr. McLoughlin's time be extended five min- utes.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to make a contract with the Milford Water Co. for ten years at the lowest possible price, and obtain a release from the Company for all past liabili. ties of the Town.
Voted, That $3500 be raised and appropriated in addition to the sum of $1000, appropriated at March meeting.
ARTICLE 8 .- Voted, That the sum of $600 be raised and ap- propriated, and that the same be left with the Selectmen.
Voted, To dissolve the Warrant.
A true record. Attest :
DOMNICK J. LANG, Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING, NOV. 3, 1891.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
To either Constable of the Town of Milford in said County,
Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are here- by required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town,
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qualified by law to vote in Elections and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Town, on TUESDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1891, it being the first Tuesday after the first Monday, punctually at eight o'clock in the forenoon, at which time the polls will be opened for said voters to give in their ballots to the Selectmen for a Gover nor, Lieutenant-Gover- nor, Councilor (Seventh Councilor District), Secretary of the Commonwealth, Treasurer and Receiver- General, Auditor of the Commonwealth, Attorney-General, Senator for Second Worces- ter Senatorial District, two Representatives to the General Court to represent the Eleventh Worcester District, one County Com- missioner, one County Treasurer (Worcester County), one Regis- ter of Deeds, (Worcester District), one Clerk of Courts; such officers to be voted for on one ballot.
Said voters will also give in their votes, "Yes" or "No," for or against two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Mas- sachusetts. One "Relative to the qualifications of voters for Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Senators and Representatives," and the other "Relative to making a majority of members a quo- rum in each branch of the General Court." Said amendments are recited in the 58th and 102d resolves of the General Court of 1891.
The polls may be closed at four o'clock in the afternoon on said day of meeting.
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the above mentioned third day of November, at the same place, there will be a meeting of the above described inhabitants, to act upon the following arti- cles, namely :---
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will accept the list of jurors as reported by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will authorize its Treasurer to pay from the Treasury any moneys which he may have in his hands not already appropriated for Town expenses, for the pur- pose of defraying current Town expenses in the following de- partments, to wit: Highways, Chapter 298 (Soldiers' Relief), Salaries, Military Aid, Incidentals, Town Hall, Interest and Street Lights.
And you are hereby directed to serve This Warrant by post- ing up attested copies thereof at each of the Public Meeting
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Houses and at the Post-office in said Town; also cause an attest- ed copy to be published in the Milford Gazette, Milford Daily Journal, Milford Daily News, and the Milford Times, newspapers printed in said Town, two Sabbaths at least before the time set for said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, to the Clerk of said Town, at the time of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Milford, this twenty-second day of October, A. D. 1891.
A. A. TAFT, E. L. WIRES, WM. B. HALE, Selectmen of Milford.
A true copy. Attest :
OLIVER 'D. HOLMES, Constable of Milford.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
Milford, Nov. 3, 1891.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabi- tants of the Town of Milford herein described to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned, by post- ing up attested copies of this warrant at each of the Public Meeting Houses and at the Post-office in said Town : and I have likewise caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Milford Gazette, Milford Daily Journal, Milford Daily News and the Milford Times, newspapers printed in said town, two Sabbaths before the time set for said meeting.
Attest : OLIVER D. HOLMES, Constable of Milford.
A true copy of the Warrant and the return thereon. Attest : DOMNICK J. LANG,
Town Clerk.
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TOWN MEETING, NOV. 3, 1891. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Worcester, ss.
Milford, Nov. 4, 1891.
In pursuance of the foregoing Warrant, the inhabitants of the Town of Milford qualified by law to vote in Elections and in Town affairs met in the Town Hall in said Town on Tuesday, the third day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ninety-one, and were called to order by the Town Clerk, who then read the Warrant and the officer's return there- on.
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 413 of the Acts of 1889, and Chapter 436 of the Acts of 1890, the sealed package said to contain 2250 ballots, specimen ballots, and instruction cards, was delivered to Amariah A. Taft, the presiding Election Officer, and his receipt therefor given to the Town Clerk. The seal was then publicly broken, the package opened, and the blocks of ballots delivered to the Ballot Clerks, and one of each kind of "cards of instructions" posted in each voting compart- ment, and at least five specimen ballots and three of each of the "cards of instructions" were posted in the hall outside the rail.
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